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"Yankee Doodle Gals really sparkles when Nathan tells the stories of individual WASPs. Dozens of memorable black-and-white photographs showing the WASPs at work and play help round out this absorbing look at a group of gutsy women who were ahead of their time."
—Washington Post

"Drawing on a multitude of interviews as well as research in public and private print materials, the author effectively conveys both the glee of the program’s many successes (“Here I was a girl of 22 given a million-dollar airplane and told, ‘Go fly!’”) and the sadness of the tragedies made all the more poignant by the women’s non-military status, which meant no military honors, pensions, or assistance with funeral expenses. The book also covers a multitude of details ranging from the occasional struggle to convince air-traffic control that the female voice on the radio was indeed coming from the big military aircraft to the issue of racial inclusion (though a few Asian-American women and an American Indian woman were WASPs, no African-American woman was ever admitted to the program). . . Recommended.
— The Bulletin of the Center for Children's Books

“The book is filled with fantastic quotes from the women as well as personal glimpses, private jokes, chronicles of friendships and encouraging songs, about the women who weren’t afraid to follow their dream.”
—Peoria Journal Star

“This important volume tells the stories of many women who served as pilots from 1942 to 1944. . . the hardships they faced, the obstacles they overcame, and what has transpired since the end of the war are all featured in a straightforward, interesting manner. . . Students interested in this historical period or in airplanes and flying, or those who simply want to read about strong women, will be pleased with this informative book.”
—VOYA Magazine

“Yankee Doodle Gals by Amy Nathan is a wonderful book. It is accurate, easy and quick to read, and filled with many pictures. It is interesting reading for any age starting with young readers around age seven.”
— Elaine Harmon, WASP pilot, Class of 44-W-9

“Not only does YANKEE DOODLE GALS provide a marvelous introduction to the WASP for children, I have recommended it to ANYONE who wants a comprehensive look at the WASP program. This book is a tremendous resource from front to back, including great photos and a ‘must read’ bibliography. YANKEE DOODLE GALS should be in every library.”
— Elissa Bellasai Strati, daughter of a WASP pilot, the late Marcia Courtney Bellassai

“…a well-researched and presented work. . . would be excellent for a social studies report. Many adults will also find the book about the WASPs -- Women Airforce Service Pilots fascinating.”
—Detroit Free Press

“Despite the gut-wrenching uncertainties we feel ourselves, we must soothe our children's fears. Look to books for perspective, for comfort, for relief. . . . books that show young readers our country's past and . . . demonstrate bravery and strength. . . . Amy Nathan writes of the daring young women in the 1940s who formed the Women Airforce Service Pilots of World War II.”
—Houston Chronicle

“Amy Nathan has done an outstanding service by telling the WASP story in a clear and very readable book. It should inspire young women to enter the field of aviation and help fill the upcoming need for pilots.”
—Donald S. Lopez, National Air and Space Museum

“We're just now beginning to fully appreciate the vital role of women in the World War II effort and the daring, gifted women of the WASP program were absolutely critical to the success of air warfare. I still marvel at their contribution.”
—Tom Brokaw, “The Greatest Generation”

YANKEE DOODLE GALS:
Women Pilots of World War II

NEW, UPDATED version of YANKEE DOODLE GALS — with NEW PHOTOS about the WASP pilots crowning honor—the CONGRESSIONAL GOLD MEDAL, that they were awarded in 2010. Available wherever books are sold.

WASP Lillian Yonally (far R) with a troop of wonderful Girl Scouts and author Amy Nathan at the Air and Space Museum's Udvar-Hazy Center, March 13, 2010 — at a book-signing for YANKEE DOODLE GALS on the museum's "Girl Scout Day" — just three days after the WASP pilots received the CONGRESSIONAL GOLD MEDAL in an amazing ceremony in the U.S. Capitol building.

In the 1940s, a group of daring young women did something women weren’t expected to do back then: They flew fighter planes, bombers, and every other kind of military aircraft the Army had. They were WASPs — Women Airforce Service Pilots — the first women to fly on a wide range of missions for the United States armed forces.

Some were teenagers, right out of high school or just starting college. Others were teachers, librarians, flight instructors, or offices workers. They stopped what they were doing for the chance to fly fantastic planes and help their country win the war. These 1,102 women weren’t allowed to fly in combat, but for two glorious years they put their lives on the line every day flying important, and often risky, stateside missions. They flew well and proved that a woman’s place could very well be inside a military cockpit.

Then suddenly, their adventure ended. In December 1944, as the war was going better for the U.S., the Army closed down the WASPs, even though the program had been a great success. The women were heartbroken. It would be nearly 30 years before women were allowed to fly for the military again. In 1977, the WASP were finally recognized as having performed military duties during the war, but it wasn’t until 2010, nearly seventy years after the program was started, that the WASP received formal, official thanks from the U.S. government for their wartime service, with the awarding of the Congressional Gold Medal.

This book tells the story of these World War II pioneers, from the first squadron formed in the fall of 1942 — called WAFS — 28 highly experienced pilots who began delivering planes for the Army right away, while a training program for other female pilots started in Texas. In the summer of 1943, both groups (WAFS and the training program) combined into one unit: the WASPs.

You’ll meet several of these women who were interviewed specially for this book. A Resource Guide offers tips on becoming a pilot, with suggestions from today’s women pilots, including NASA astronaut Eileen Collins, who, in the Foreword, explains how grateful she is to the WASPs for helping to open the skies for women.

The new UPDATED version of the book—available for sale starting in January 2014—includes NEW photos about their crowning honor, received on March 10, 2010, the day the nation officially said “Thank you,” when Congress presented the WASP pilots with the CONGRESSIONAL GOLD MEDAL, the highest honor Congress can bestow on civilians. This book was originally published in 2001, long before the Gold Medal was dreamed of, and so it is important to now update the book to include information on the Medal. The Bibliography and Resources section have also been updated, but the rest of the book remains unchanged — still telling the WASPs' inspiring story.
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WASPs the late Elaine Harmon (left) and the late Dot Lewis at a book-signing for YANKEE DOODLE GALS on Veterans Day 2009 at the National Air and Space Museum.

WASP Shirley Kruse (R) signing copy of YANKEE DOODLE GALS at burial service for WASP Elaine Harmon at Arlington National Cemetery September 7, 2016 . This copy, signed by other WASP and dignitaries at this ceremony, was presented by author Amy Nathan (L) to the Harmon family as a memento of this momentous day. Elaine Harmon would herself donate copies of YANKEE DOODLE GALS to schools and libraries when she gave talks about the WASP to young people.